YASUSHI TANAKA: STILL LIFE WITH A MASK By Yasushi Tanaka (1886-1941), signed Tanaka France, Paris, first half of 20th century Oil on canvas. Set inside a frame, behind glass. Finely painted with vivid colors to depict a Ko-omote mask resting on plush pillows and fine brocades, the mask framed by thick curtains, all next to a large bow and single arrow. Inscriptions: Signed to the lower right, ‘Tanaka’. The verso inscribed with the stencil of the Paris canvas dealer Blanchet. The frame with a label, ‘Yasushi Tanaka’. Image SIZE 100 x 81 cm, SIZE incl. frame 113 x 93 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear as visible in the images provided. A small touchup to the top center. Provenance: Sotheby’s, Tableaux Dessins Sculptures 1300-1900, 30 June 2020, Paris, lot 112 ( sold for EUR 2,250). A French private collection, acquired from the above. Born in Saitama, Japan, Yasushi Tanaka’s artistic training took place in Seattle, USA, where he arrived in 1904 and began to exhibit in 1915. Feeling that he was poorly understood by the American critical establishment, in 1920 he decided to move to Paris, where he joined a large community of Japanese artists – the most prominent being Tsuguharu Foujita – who were seeking to round off their artistic training and expose themselves to modern trends in Western painting. Tanaka settled more easily into Parisian artistic life, exhibiting regularly at the Salons of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, as well as the Salon d’Automne. He was friendly with James Joyce, whose portrait he painted, as well as that of his wife Nora.